389 



from a cleft between the upper border of the hoof and the coronary 

 band, alwaj's pare away the loosened horn, so that the soft tissues 

 beneath are fully exposed, care being taken not to injure the healthy 

 parts. This operation permits of a thorough inspection of the dis- 

 eased parts, the easy removal of all gangrenous tissue, and a better 

 application of the necessary remedies and dressings. The only objec- 

 tion to the oi)eration is that the i^atient is prevented from being early 

 returned to work. 



When the probe shows that pus has collected under the coffin bone, 

 the sole must be j)ared through, and if caries of the bone is present, 

 the dead parts must be cut away. After either of these operations 

 the w^ound is to be dressed with the oakum balls saturated in the 

 bichloride of mercury solution, as previously directed, and the band- 

 ages tightly applied. Generally the discharge for the first two or 

 three days is so great that the dressings need to be changed every 

 twenty-four hours; but when the discharge diminishes, the dressing 

 may be left on from one to two weeks. Before the patient is returned 

 to work, a bar shoe should be applied, since the removed quarter or 

 heel can only be made perfect again by a new growth from the coro- 

 nary band. 



Tendinous or cartilaginous complications are to be treated as directed 

 under these headings. 



CARTILAGINOUS QUITTOR. 



This form of quittor may commence as a primary inflammation of 

 the lateral cartilage, but in the great majority of cases it appears as 

 a sequel to cutaneous or sub-horny quittor. It may affect either the 

 fore or hind feet, but is most commonly seen in the former. As a 

 rule, it attacks but one foot at a time, and but one of the cartilages, 

 and that is generally the inner one. It is always a serious affection 

 for the reason that, in many cases, it can only be cured by a surgical 

 operation, requiring a thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the 

 parts involved and much surgical skill. 



Causes. — Direct injuries to the coronet, such as trami^ing, pricks, 

 burns, and the blow of some heavy falling object which may puncture, 

 bruise, or crush the cartilage, are the common direct causes of carti- 

 laginous quittor. Besides being a sequel to the other forms of quittor, 

 it sometimes develops as a complication in suppurative corn, canker, 

 grease, laminitis, and punctured wounds of the foot. Animals used 

 for heavy draught, and those with flat feet and low heels, are more 

 liable to the disease than others, for the simple reason that they are 

 more exposed to injury. Rough roads also predispose to the disease 

 by increasing liability to injury. 



Symptoms. — When the disease commences as a primaiy inflamma- 

 tion of the cartilage, lameness develops with the formation of a swell- 

 ing on the side of the coronet over the quarter. The severity of this 



